Sofia "The Great"

Hello internet people who happen to stumble upon this page. I welcome you to my little section on this blog. I am warning you to leave right now or else you might become enlighten to all my crazy thoughts about books, cats, and world domination. Proceed with caution.

Earlier this year I read The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer. It was a book I read for my book club and didn't really enjoy. You can read the review here. I did not know I picked up Smart Girls Get What They Want by the same authors. Usually when I read book from an author that I did not like- I won't read from them anymore. I'm glad this was not the case. I pleasantly enjoyed this book.

Synopsis:Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .

This was a quick, fun, clean YA read. I really enjoyed reading this novel. The girls weren't your typical angst ridden teenage girl. They were smart girls who had goals they wanted to achieve in life. They knew that there was more to life than just high school. Yet, they realized they didn't want to miss out on experiences before it was too late.
The writing was pretty good but at first it took a while for the characters to grow on me. After the first few chapters I was hooked. I really liked the smart , flirty banter between characters. Who knew the periodical table could be romantic? lol.
I was also surprised that this was my second novel by Sarah Strohmeyer. Previously, I read the Cinderella Pact and didn't like it that much. I think I much prefer her YA novels. There was just a huge difference with character development and pacing of both novels. Smart Girls Get What They Want is the winner in my book.
Overall, this was a really good read and would recommend for fans of YA.

One morning on her way to work she stops to offer a homeless man a bottle of water. As she meets the man’s eyes, Jadie instantly recognizes they belong to her father, whom she hasn’t seen since she was sixteen. Unable to accept the truth of her encounter, Jadie flees, hoping eventually to forget the experience and continue leading a normal life.

But then she meets Reece, an aspiring writer with a mysterious past who is set on capturing Jadie’s affection. Jadie wants nothing more than to give her heart to Reece, but her broken past and crippling secret keep her from surrendering it to him fully.

Things won’t come easy to Jadie as she fights for her place in the world, but there is strength in her, and she is determined never to stop struggling for what so many others have: love, happiness, and a sense of belonging.

This is just bad. Really bad. I felt like I read an unfinished, unedited book that was someone's first draft. At first I was intrigued with the cover, the synopsis and I liked the fact the protagonist was a Latina. That's pretty much all I liked about this book.
I knew after the first few chapters I was in trouble. The author missed the mark with not enough "showing" and basically was just "telling" the story. Therefore, I could not picture what was going on or could not relate with the characters. I honestly did not understand all of Jadie's mood swings or why she fell in love so fast with Reece. This had to be one of the worst written instant love stories I've ever read. I am not against instant love stories but they still need a build up. Did he look at her seductively, flirt, or something kinda romantic? The answer is no. They had one sorta date and basically after one night of passion knew they were in love. WTF!!!
Then there was all the unnecessary , overreaction drama that made no sense. Jadie became a women who at first was mature then turn into a teenage brat. I really did not understand why she hated her coworker Tom so much. She just hated him on the spot just based on her own neurosis. He didn't do anything bad. Not even looking at her smugly or talking to her in a condescending manner. NADA! Then her behavior at her roommates dinner party was ridiculous. What grown women throws a plate with food because their coworker shows up? That was just an awful over the top scene that made no sense.
There was quite a few more issues that I had with this story. From start to finish I just did not like this book. There was no character development and the whole story was completely rushed.
I need to also add that I did not like that acclaimed author, Junot Diaz, was mention throughout the whole novel. He's one of my favorite authors and has no problems with "showing" his readers a great story. Read just one paragraph from him and there is no comparison.
I can not recommend for anyone to purchase or read this book. Please take a pass and not waste your time.

Synopsis:Lydia McIntosh left her old life behind when she said goodbye to Prairie Town, North Carolina and started over halfway across the country with her beloved Gran; away from her family, away from everyone who knew the person she once was, and from the identity she never quite wanted in the first place. When her grandmother passes away, she returns home and while she only intends to stay for the funeral, her grandmother has other plans, from the grave. Her will states that Lydia must remain in Prairie Town for six months in order to give her family and her old town a chance to get to know the new her, the real her. Lydia has had years to adjust to long hair, summer dresses, and nail polish, but she understands her family will need time to get reacquainted with a daughter they've never known and a sister they've missed terribly. Anticipating the worst, as she always has, Lydia's feelings about her old town begin to change when she meets her brother's best friend, Callum. Callum is kind and more accepting than she could have ever imagined and she's falling for him. When her 180 days are over, will she be able to say goodbye to the family she's missed so much? Will she survive her mother's endless intolerance? Can she really leave the man who acknowledges her past and still wants her? A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This is a story about a transgender girl and her journey to acceptance and love when she returns to her hometown. Within the pages of this book you will be introduced to characters who color outside the lines and that's just how they like it. I implore you to give them a chance because we are all beautiful and unique in our own ways, and we all deserve love and happiness.
​My Review:

I won a free copy from a giveaway hosted by the blog Celebrity Readers.

“Love doesn’t know gender. Love doesn’t understand what used to be or what is; it only understands what could be and what should be.”

This is my first full length trans-romance novel but not my first read with a transgender person. I heard good things about 180 days from friends of mine and was pretty excited that I won a copy.
I thought the story was really nice and well written. I liked how informative it was in explaining trans issues and procedures. I did learn a few things but I did feel it was a tad to preachy. Not sure how many people who are anti-trans would actually read this book but who knows. Everything is possible.
Now that being , I did like Lydia and Callum and thought they were really good, nice people. Actually, everybody was really accepting except for Lydia's mom and the town bully. Callum was just like prince charming and came off as the perfect man. Too perfect for me because I tend to prefer characters with a few flaws.
In all honesty, I thought 180 days read like a Hallmark movie. Its was a feel good love story with mushy, romantic goodness. I think those looking for a nice romance will like this book.

“Words and truth follow the basic laws of physics. For every truth there is a contradicting lie. If you search for the truth with an open mind, looking at both sides of the story to form your own opinion, you will soon become so confused that you’ll believe anything.”

Digital Heretic is the second book in the Game is Life series. I really liked The Game, the first book in the series and really wanted to know the answers to all the unanswered questions. Terry Schoot has a great ability in pulling in his readers but I felt he did not do the greatest job giving answers. The second book just keeps adding more questions.
I also felt it had more unbelievable moments but I willing to let it slide because of the genre. Normally, I am not a fan of when science fiction mixes with religion because sometimes I feel there might be an ulterior motive. I just hope that is not the case in this series.
Normally I never mention how much I paid for a book but I feel I need to do so for this one. Book 1 was free which was great so I didn't think $4.99 was that bad. But its still pretty higher than normally priced indie books. Paying $4.99 I would expect the book to be properly formatted but this was not the case.The bad formatting made the reading at times difficult. Digital Heretic was released over 2 years ago (3 in January) and I recently noticed other reviewers mentioning the same issues. I feel those issues should have been fixed sooner. I did find out through social media that all the books in this series have good through reedits, formatting and new covers last month. That is all great but I did not receive the newer version or the update. I bought the book last April and do not think it should have been published if it wasn't properly done.
Now all that being said I did like the book and would like to see where the series goes. I am just not sure if I would ever buy any new releases from the author. I might have to wait a few years to make sure I get the proper version.
I would recommend this book to fans of the Matrix movies. The concepts are very similar and I think they would like it.

Synopsis: In a small town in Arkansas, two lives that seemingly have nothing in common will converge and change each other forever. A brilliant but tormented street artist and an ex-track star whose career was cut short by a heart condition.

Aimee DeLuca had a promising athletic career before her heart gave out during a high school track and field contest. Aimee struggles to find her way after spending time with a deceased grandmother during a near death experience. Reizo Rush is a street artist whose torment fuels his desire to add color to the gray walls of the city. But Reizo's tagging and the two voices only he hears land him in perpetual trouble with both his teachers and the law. During a chance encounter, the two quickly find out they have much more in common than love. When they stumble upon a century-old storm cellar hidden underground on Aimee’s uncle’s ranch, they unearth a cellar full of artifacts and a hundred-year-old Will. Once the news of the discovery leaks out, a drug-dealing teen and a mysterious soul named General are determined to bury the truth along with anyone who gets in their way. My review:

Voices is an original story that was really quite interesting to read. I liked that Reizo was not your typical male lead. He's a guy dealing with a mental illness that causes him to hear multiple voices. The only outlet he has is his art. Tagging his town with his street art is his only joy in life till he meets Aimee. She comes with her own set of issues after surviving a near death experience. Their love of art and innocence is what really drew me to them. I liked their build up and how they balanced each other out.
Voices also had a paranormal aspect that I liked which is what made it unique. My only complaint is that some parts felt kinda far fetched even with it being a paranormal book. Basically the "bad guys" seem like a stretch for me but it did make it more of a page turner. I wanted to know what else was going to happen.
Overall this was a good book that left me wanting to read the next book in the series. I would recommend this novel to fans of paranormal YA.

I recently just heard about Lianne La Havas and I really liked her sound. She has a very soulful voice that reminds me of Jill Scott and India Arie. I thought the album was really nice and decent. Lianne La Havas can sing and she has the skills. The songs that stood out the most for me were "Green & Gold", "What you didn't know" and "Good Goodbye". I could have done without Midnight. I just wasn't feeling it. Overall this was just a nice album that would be great for a romantic dinner. I just don't think any of the songs would ever become a favorite of mine. Meaning I would not be playing them on constant repeat like I usually do.

Synopsis: If you like your characters quirky, socially awkward and badly behaved, this is the book for you. What if you got another chance with the love of your life even when you didn’t want one? Would you grab the opportunity or run as fast as you could in the opposite direction?

Christina Martin, lawyer, ex high school grunge queen, teenage bride, divorcee and once a suspected killer, is confronted by a past that she has spent the last eight years carefully avoiding. Drawn back to her hated hometown with her family under the worst of circumstances, matters are complicated when she finds the love of her life, ex husband and nemesis, Nicholas Riley, also in residence.

Riley, a man with secrets, who has a penchant for psychological games, made wary by life and with one weakness, his ex wife. Christina is the woman that brings out all his protective instincts and others less noble. All it takes is one fateful night, where these two collide, opening a door both thought slammed shut and locked forever.

From the past to the present, Christina and Riley show that true love doesn’t always run smoothly, it might not conquer all and most importantly, love is complicated.

Recommended for audiences over the age of 17. Lost in Flight is book one in the Complicated Love series.

This is actually the second book that I read from Neeny Boucher. I was fortunate enough to beta read the prequel "Back of Beyond" so therefore I was already familiar with these characters.
It was great to the see all the characters in the present and see how they turn out. Of course it didn't surprise me that there was a lot of good, fun, drama. Yes, this book has some funny OMG moments and my favorite was the walk of shame from Dina. I love the way Neeny makes her characters realistic to a point to where someone can see themselves or their friends in similar situations.
I also liked the back and forth between the past and the present in this book. It was interesting to see how a teenage love that was so strong could break up. Plus Riley is a favorite of mine. I just like his attitude and stubbornness.
Overall this was a good book to read and I would recommend it to others.

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler was my November's book club selection. Overall most of the members liked the book The ratings ranged from 3-4 stars which isn't that bad. Some said they couldn't put the book down while other thought it was just an okay book. There were some comparisons to the books Water for Elephant and Night Circus is that helps any other book club pick this book. I thought the discussion guide from Mac Millian could have been better. They just weren't that thought provoking.

Synopsis: A sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young librarian who is sent a mysterious old book, inscribed with his grandmother's name. What is the book's connection to his family?

Simon Watson, a young librarian, lives alone on the Long Island Sound in his family home, a house perched on the edge of a cliff that is slowly crumbling into the sea. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks.

One day, Simon receives a mysterious book from an antiquarian bookseller; it has been sent to him because it is inscribed with the name Verona Bonn, Simon's grandmother. Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before fate deals its next deadly hand.

The Book of Speculation is Erika Swyler's gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books, family, and magic.

My Review:

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4 Platypires of The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler Book of Speculation was my book club's pick for November. I think the cover is what really drew me in. A book about books. What book lover wouldn't like that? lol. The story goes back and forth between past and present from a traveling carnival to a librarian trying to find out the mystery about his family. The women in his family keep drowning on the same day even though they have the unnatural ability to hold their breath underwater for long periods of time. I liked the writing style and thought the author did a good job engaging her readers. I did find the past part more interesting than the present part. Something about it reminded me of "Water for Elephant" minus the elephant. I guess because it had a lot more interesting characters. Amos the mute, wild man/tarot card reader was a very fascinating innocent character. Simon, the librarian on the other hand was not that interesting. He was good character but wasn't that appealing. Overall this was a good book and I would recommend for other book clubs to read.

Synopsis: A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

A while back I asked on the Platypire Reviews Facebook page recommendations with Hispanic leads and Perfect Chemistry was one of the books mention. I am so glad to have been able to pick it up at my neighborhood bookstore cause after the first chapter I knew I was going to like it.
This book sucked me and and I read it all in one day. I just couldn't put it down. I love the Latin aspect of the book and the mix of Spanish. I don't think it would be hard to follow for those who do not know the language because phrases were immediately translated.
Perfect Chemistry is a great tale of a forbidden love with a lot of teen drama. I was rooting for the couple the whole time and their stories were so engaging. I loved the writing and can't wait to read the next book in the series. Also I freaking loved the epilogue and giggled out loud which never happens.

A doctor returning from the mountains of India unknowingly brings a deadly virus to the western world. The nightmare begins.

Society crumbles...

Alex Harley is hiking with three friends when all media channels shut down to be replaced with the Emergency Broadcast. Civilians are warned to stay in their homes. Isolated and afraid, the four friends begin a fight for survival.

The end of the world is here...

The military sets up Survivor Camps to separate the infected from the uninfected. As a U.N. rescue mission is put into operation to save survivors from the clutches of the zombies, Alex and his friends must deal with the undead and power-crazed soldiers.

But while they fight to survive, the authorities consider drastic measures to rid the world of monsters..

I'm a huge a zombie fan and thought I would enjoy Rain. While it did have a great cover, good synopsis, decent editing and based in the UK, this book was just not for me.
In the beginning I felt the pacing was just off. Everything happen really quick with not much of an explanation. One minute a stranger on a hike came out of nowhere with an attack and the next morning the world basically ended. The characters weren't that likable and kept making bad decisions. Alex the main lead kept knowing everything just based off zombie movies & TV shows which he kept referencing all the time.
There were also quite a few unbelievable moments that I just couldn't get pass. For example, I am not sure how the military works in the UK but I found it hard to believe they would chase after a group of people just to rescue them. I just couldn't imagine them being that determine. Personally, I live in one of the most populous cities in the US and have undergone a mass evacuation due to natural disaster and know they leave those who decide to stay.
The big kicker for me was the fact that zombies didn't want to get wet. I think I should have stopped reading but the book was so short. I basically wanted to see if it could get worse. It did. The whole time I was reading the book I kept picturing the fact I could fight zombies with a water-gun. Yet for some reason the characters never thought of it.
Overall this was a bad book and I can't recommend it to anyone.

This was a very cute adorable read. We've all seen those movies where the romantic leads pretending to be dating but are in fact falling for each other. Well as a chick-flick fan this book hit the right spot. Yeah the story-line was a t...

I don't know whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. It was pretty damn good. My only complaint is that I got kinda lost in all of the space jargon. Seriously, I felt kinda dumb because everything sounded so smart that I'm just gonna as...

This year I'm planning on rereading some of my favorite books. I'm glad I started with one of my favorite authors. This book is still really good. This time I listen to the audio book instead of actually reading the book. My only complai...

“Love isn’t roses. It’s those little square caramels and a root beer from the gas station because he knows that’s your favorite snack. It’s watching a musical with you without groaning. It’s handing you your glasses at night because he k...

I want to first start off that I got to meet the author at Houston author bash earlier this year. I was immediately drawn to the cover of this book. I just think it's a beautiful cover. This was the only physical book that I bought at t...

About ME!

I was born a long time ago in a hospital in Houston At least that's the story that was told to me. I can't recall these details so I can't say with 100% accuracy that its true.

Fast forward some years and I'm an adult women who has a passion for reading. Some might say its unhealthy. Those people suck and should burn in fiery pit. My passion for reading lead me into running the best book club in Houston. I also like to attend author signings. I don't consider that stalking if the author advertised the event. Now when I'm outside their window that might be another story but lets not get into semantics. .

I enjoy reading a lot of different genres from traditionally and indie published books. I don't go out of my way to check how a book was published. If the book captures my interest then that is good enough for me to read. Now that being said I will review books in the genres below: